Domestic

Home page

Domestic

Secretary of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio: â€œThe text of Azerbaijanâ€™s Electoral Code should be shortened and simplifiedâ€

14 July 2008 10:42 (UTC +04:00)

He said it was important to make more improvements in the Electoral Code. â€œApparently these changes will be made to the Electoral Code, but now the situation makes its impossible. Presidential elections are coming up and there is no time practically to make appropriate changes to the Electoral Code. I think current Electoral Code can be a good basis for the free and fair elections. Many things depend on the political will. All political forces in Azerbaijan, both government and opposition, as well as society should respect and implement this lawâ€. Gianni Buquicchio spoke about the positive and negative sides of the Electoral Code. â€œAt first, I should notice that the Electoral Code has very long and complicated text and it needs to be shortened and simplified. One of the main problems relates to the formation of election commissions. Current composition doesnâ€™t provide all candidates with the right of representation at the election commissions. However there are positive points in the Electoral Code naturally, for example, finger ink-marking and exit-pollsâ€. Gianni Buquicchio emphasized that a law on Freedom of Assembly adopted by Milli Majlis completely met the international norms and standards. â€œThis law completely meets the democratic norms and modern demands. I have met with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov today and have informed him about our position. I will also express my ideas about the changes to the Electoral Code at the meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyevâ€.